The season for giving continues

OK, Christmas is rapidly becoming a memory and your wallet is near empty, but that’s no reason to stop plans to give as the new year approaches.

The American Red Cross is in need of donors and is willing to offer you a post-holiday gift for some of your time and blood.

All eligible and new blood donors are encouraged to give blood, reads an email sent to our community news editor. Blood donors are needed every day to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients in need. In January, all presenting blood donors will receive a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.

And it’s not like you have to go out of your way to donate. There are many blood drives being planned in the Seacoast or nearby.

The bad weather season is a particularly difficult time of the year to maintain blood supplies. A snow or ice storm can cancel or postpone blood drives and weather-related disasters can increase the need. If you don’t find an drive listed here that is convenient or one near you is canceled we urge you to contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit onto redcrossblood.org for drive locations or to schedule and appointment to give.